I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC. My closest experience to an agricultural society, growing up in New Jersey, was mowing the lawn. But I have to admit, I still believe New Jersey has the best tomatoes in the United States.

     

More recently I have found myself b…